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While prisons are generally conceived as institutions for reforming criminals, recent trends show that many ex-inmates are repeatedly engaging in criminal activities. In just one month, about 6-7 people have been re-arrested on charges of committing new crimes. 

According to Advocate Priya Hari Bhandari, Nepal’s prisons are increasingly becoming places where inmates learn new criminal skills and expand their network of criminal associates. With few exceptions, most people who end up in prison have committed some form of crime after their release. When criminal-minded individuals are housed together, it creates an environment conducive to learning more illegal activities and expanding criminal circles. Had prisons been functioning as true rehabilitation centers, we wouldn’t see the same individuals repeatedly ending up behind bars.

Bhandari said that Nepal’s prisons are overcrowded, making it difficult for inmates to access even the basic amenities. Furthermore, individuals involved in various types of crimes are often housed together. This has led to prisons being used as places to learn criminal tactics and strategies. If prisons functioned as true rehabilitation centers, the same individuals wouldn’t repeatedly end up behind bars.

He suggested that inmates should be taught self-sustaining skills. “If they acquire practical job skills while serving a prison term, it would make their reintegration into society easier upon release,” he said. “There is a prevailing attitude that once someone goes to jail, everything is over for them. Their businesses, jobs, friends and relatives often distance themselves. Local governments should take initiatives to create an environment that allows ex-inmates to return to work.”

Nepal Police Spokesperson Dan Bahadur Karki attributed repeat offenses to factors such as peer influence, bad company, being too ambitious and the desire to make quick money. “While constant surveillance is maintained on activities within prisons, police cannot interfere with the choice of friends and social circles of an individual,” he said.

Karki, however, argued that attempts have been made to make prisons skill-oriented. He suggested that separating convicted prisoners from those merely accused of crimes could help address this issue to some extent.

“Ex-inmates often face difficulties reintegrating into society immediately after release. The role of families and relatives is crucial in the reform of these individuals,” he added. “It is important to forget past mistakes and support them in leading a normal life going forward.”

Crime rates persist 

According to Dinesh Raj Mainali, the spokesperson for the Kathmandu Valley Police Office, while prisons are conceptualized as rehabilitation centers, in practice, they haven’t been able to fulfill this role. “Prisons face their own set of challenges, including overcrowding, which affects proper management of inmates. The practice of housing all types of prisoners together often leads to individuals who committed minor offenses being influenced by those involved in more serious crimes,” he added. “It is not easy for someone to reintegrate into society after serving a prison sentence. Inmates need proper guidance, moral education, and life skills while in prison. While some efforts have been made in this direction, they haven't been fully implemented.”

One of the reasons why individuals repeatedly make mistakes, get involved in crimes and engage in harmful activities, according to Mainali, is bad company.

Sociologist Professor Mina Upreti said families and society often do not readily accept individuals with criminal records which leads to repeated offenses. “With few exceptions, most crimes occur due to bad influence and temptation. A person in a negative company does not reform quickly. Since various types of criminals, including those who have committed heinous crimes, are housed together in jails, prisons often become training grounds for crime,” she said. “This creates a possibility where someone jailed for a minor offense might commit a more serious crime upon release.”

Although that crime should not be normalized, society needs to stop permanently labeling someone as a criminal for a single offense, she added.

“Upper-class and wealthy individuals often reintegrate easily into society, with their crimes often overlooked, while poor, lower-class, and Dalit community members struggle to be accepted back into society,” Upreti added.

Making prisons skill-oriented

Kamal Prasad Pandey, director and spokesperson for the Prison Management Department, said efforts to transform prisons into rehabilitation centers have not been effective. “The lack of physical infrastructure makes it challenging for us to segregate prisoners based on their offenses. While the country’s prisons have a capacity of only 16,000, they currently house around 30,000 inmates and detainees. This overcrowding creates management challenges,” he added.

According to Pandey, efforts are being made to modernize prisons and make them more technology-friendly. “The government needs to introduce special programs to engage all prisoners in self-sustaining activities,” he added.

Nawaraj Adhikari, the spokesperson for the District Police Range Kathmandu, said those sentenced to less than three years should not be housed with those who have committed heinous crimes. “Detainees should not be kept with convicted prisoners. However, Nepal’s prisons currently lack the facilities for such segregation,” he said. “If prisons can be developed as places to learn life-skills, the tendencies of repeated offense would decrease.”

The House of Representatives (HoR) on Wednesday endorsed the third amendment to the Enforced Disappearances Enquiry, Truth and Reconciliation Commission Act—a significant step toward addressing human rights violations from the decade-long conflict.

Following the HoR's approval, the bill will proceed to the National Assembly (NA) before being presented to President Ram Chandra Poudel for final authentication. The government aims to complete this process within the next 10 days, paving the way for new appointments to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons—two transitional justice bodies established 10 years ago.

For a long time, major political parties held differing views on some provisions of the bill, but the Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, and CPN (Maoist Center) now claim to have reached an agreement. On Wednesday, all parties in Parliament supported this consensus. However, conflict victims have already voiced concerns, and the international community has yet to respond to the new agreement. Without their support, these transitional justice mechanisms may struggle to achieve meaningful progress.

While the agreement among the three parties is a positive development, it does not guarantee that the two commissions will be able to address the approximately 65,000 complaints filed by conflict victims. Experts caution that it could take years to investigate all the cases and deliver justice.

Addressing the House, Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba stated that the amended bill aligns with the concerns raised by Nepal’s Supreme Court and meets international standards. He expressed hope that the international community would welcome the bill's passage.

CPN (Maoist Center) Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal, a key figure in the peace process, emphasized that there will be no blanket amnesty for serious human rights violations, a major concern of the international community. He noted, “Previously, there was a misconception that Nepal was granting amnesty for serious human rights violations. We have now reached an agreement that ensures no blanket amnesty. I believe this clarifies any confusion for the international community.” Dahal also mentioned that the international community has welcomed the agreement reached among the key political parties on contentious issues within the transitional justice mechanism.

In the past, both commissions were hindered by a weak mandate. While addressing the House, the prime minister pledged to establish stronger commissions based on this political agreement and committed the government's full support to their work.

It remains to be seen how the conflict victims and the international community will receive the amendment to the transitional justice laws. US Ambassador to Nepal Dean R Thompson was among the first diplomats to welcome the bill.

“Pleased to see the transitional justice bill passed by the House of Representatives today. Congratulations to the people of Nepal. This is a meaningful moment in Nepal’s journey to shaping its own peaceful, prosperous, resilient, and democratic future,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

“Pleased to see the transitional justice bill passed by the House of Representatives today. Congratulations to the people of Nepal. This is a meaningful moment in Nepal’s journey to shaping its own peaceful, prosperous, resilient, and democratic future,”  said Dean R Thompson, US Ambassador to Nepal.

UN Resident Coordinator to Nepal Hanaa Singer-Hamdy in her X post has said: “Endorsement of TJ bill is a crucial step in completing the peace process. This milestone brings victims closer to truth, justice and reparations. It is imperative to engage victims at all stages of its operationalization. As a partner for peace, the UN stands ready to support.” 

Similarly, Veronique Lorenzo, Ambassador of the European Union to Nepal, said: Congratulations to Nepal and Nepali people for this historic achievement: passing of Nepal led and owned, victim-centric TRC bill by House of Representative.

The insurance sector, like many other industries, has been impacted by the recent economic recession. While the sector’s surface performance might appear stable, a closer examination of the data reveals that renewal charges are primarily keeping the industry afloat.

Across the 14 life insurance companies operating in the country, a total of Rs 156.331bn was collected in the past fiscal year, surpassing the previous year’s figures. The overall insurance amount increased by 9.82 percent annually, compared to Rs 142.35bn collected in the fiscal year 2022/23.

Notably, renewal charges have contributed more to the total revenue than primary insurance charges. Renewal charges accounted for 78.03 percent of the total, generating Rs 121.982bn, while primary insurance charges contributed Rs 34.34bn, or 21.97 percent of the total.

In the past year, 13,774,635 active insurance accounts were recorded, though the number of accounts has decreased. Despite this, total insurance collections grew due to higher individual insurance amounts, as noted by the insurance authority. Despite ongoing economic instability, Manoj Lal Karn, CEO of Himalayan Life Insurance, stated that the industry has not been significantly affected overall. He emphasized that the increase in renewal charges has driven growth in total collections. “Compared to the previous year, with nearly a 20 percent increase in income from insurance amounts, we should be optimistic,” he said.

Nepal Life Insurance led the industry in total collections for the fiscal year 2023/24, contributing 26.13 percent of the total. The company alone raised Rs 40.85bn out of the Rs 153.33bn generated by the 14 insurance companies, with 1,467,128 insurance accounts.

National Life Insurance ranked second, raising Rs 19.203bn, or 12.28 percent of the total, with 1,598,268 insurance accounts. Other companies followed, with Life Insurance Corporation (Nepal) Ltd raising Rs 18.1bn, Himalayan Life Rs 16.6bn, and Suryajyoti Life Rs 9.5bn. Companies that raised less than Rs 9bn include Rastriya Jeevan Beema (Rs 8.79bn), MetLife Insurance (Rs 5.67bn), Asian Life Insurance (Rs 8.8bn), Sun Nepal Life (Rs 3.88bn), Reliance Nepal (Rs 4.2bn), Citizen Life (Rs 6.21bn), Sanima Reliance Life (Rs 6.18bn), and Prabhu Mahalaxmi Life (Rs 4.37bn). Despite these figures, 57 percent of the population remains uninsured. As of 2023/24, 43.26 percent of the population had insurance coverage, a slight decrease from the previous year, when 44.38 percent of the population was insured.

Nepal continues to lag in insurance awareness and coverage compared to other countries. Unless required by law, the general public does not prioritize insurance. The government mandates vehicle insurance for compensation in case of theft, accidents, or other incidents. However, despite the legal requirement for third-party liability insurance, many remain uninterested in additional coverage. Officials cite a lack of awareness as a key factor in the limited reach of insurance among the population.

Throughout history, human society has experienced major transformative changes. From the age of hunting and gathering to the present era of the internet and advanced technology, the evolution of professions and careers has been a significant aspect of human life. Change is inevitable for progress, yet not all changes lead to positive outcomes. 

A new trend has emerged in the global workforce in recent years, with a growing number of individuals opting to change careers. This phenomenon has also been observed in Nepal, where many people are making transitions to new professions for various reasons. This raises the question: Is changing careers a beneficial or detrimental endeavor? In the context of our ever-evolving society, the concept of change is not new. However, what sets this current trend apart is the palpable shift from mere modernization within a specific occupation to an entire career change. This shift has prompted contemplation about the underlying reasons and motivations for such transitions. Are individuals unsatisfied with their current roles? Is financial gain the primary driving force behind these career changes? Or is there a deeper desire to diversify and excel in multiple areas? These questions have sparked curiosity and led to introspection on the part of many. 

Engaging with individuals who have recently transitioned to new careers reveals a common theme: the pursuit of multi-talent. The modern generation seeks to expand their knowledge and expertise beyond a single domain. The notion of being proficient in only one skill is perceived as limiting and unfulfilling. Instead, individuals aspire to be knowledgeable in various professions, desiring to seamlessly shift between different roles throughout the day. While the pursuit of diverse skills is not inherently negative, the frequency of career changes may pose potential challenges. It is imperative to ponder on the implications of this trend. Several factors have contributed to the rise of this trend. Job satisfaction, individual personality, the incongruence between one's job and innate nature, lack of incentives in current roles, the pervasive influence of social media, and the allure of instant fame have all played a role in shaping this phenomenon. The desire for recognition and popularity is not inherently problematic; however, the rapid attainment of fame can have significant psychological consequences. 

Early and abrupt fame and success bring with it a myriad of pressures and could potentially result in mental health challenges. The pursuit of multiple endeavors simultaneously may not be conducive to sustainable success and well-being. It is crucial to reflect upon these factors and their potential long-term impact. The contrast between pursuing expertise in a specific area versus engaging in multiple fields becomes evident when examining the lives of renowned figures in history. Consider Albert Einstein, a foundational figure in the realm of science. Had he diverted his attention to sociology, economics, and other fields, the world may not have benefitted from his pioneering contributions to theoretical physics. Similarly, Alfred Marshall’s acclaimed status as an economist would have been compromised had he dabbled in various domains of knowledge. These examples underscore the value of dedicating oneself to a particular field, achieving expertise, and garnering recognition over time. 

Individuals who invest substantial time and effort in a single profession are more likely to achieve prominence and financial stability. Becoming an expert in a specific area and gaining recognition within that field is a commendable pursuit, offering long-term rewards. The narrative of achieving success by juggling multiple pursuits simultaneously may not always lead to sustained prosperity and recognition. Focusing on a single discipline allows individuals to establish themselves as authorities in their respective domains, thereby enabling them to secure financial stability and professional recognition. 

In conclusion, the trend of changing careers reflects a desire for multi-talent and expertise across various domains. This shift has been influenced by factors such as job satisfaction, individual personality, the influence of social media, and the allure of instant fame. While the pursuit of diverse skills is commendable, it is essential to carefully consider the potential challenges and long-term impacts of frequent career changes. History has shown that dedicating oneself to a specific field and achieving expertise over time is a viable pathway to success and recognition. By carefully weighing the implications of these trends, individuals can make informed decisions about their careers and strive for sustainable and enduring success.

The author is counseling psychologist at PICS NEPAL